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Price Of A Pint Set To Go Up Thanks To Summer Heatwave

Price Of A Pint Set To Go Up Thanks To Summer Heatwave

The summer dry spells have pushed up the cost of barley by 40 percent

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

If you're a fan of a swift one after work, it might be time to get on board of the 'Go sober for October' train as the price of beer is set to skyrocket.

We all knew there would be a price to pay for such an amazing summer, and here's the news we didn't want to hear - it turns out the heatwave laid waste to barley harvests across the UK.

PA

Because of the prolonged dry spell, experts say barley costs are now up by 40 percent.

According to reports, the average price of a pint in the UK could go up by more than 50p and a rise in production costs is also expected to hit major brewers such as Heineken and Carlsberg.

Jonathan Arnold, of grain traders Robin Appel, told the Daily Star: "The price of grain has shot up dramatically over the summer because the heatwave has hit crops all over the world."

He said he wouldn't be able to say exactly how much prices of alcohol will go up, but he added: "It's already around £40 to £50 ($52-65) a tonne more expensive than it was this time last year."

According to a report by investment bank Berenberg, world barley stocks are at a shocking low - their lowest levels since 1984, in fact.

In the report it was predicted Heineken and Carlsberg are facing a rise in production costs, equating to roughly 16 percent in the next six months.

The average price for a pint in Britain is currently £3.60 ($4.70), but the increase would add nearly 58p (76¢) on to that.

Barley makes up about one fifth of the costs for the average brewer to make beer.

Some big brewers brought in inflation-busting price rises of 3.9 percent earlier this year and fears have sparked that prices will rise again soon.

It's not only beer that's set to go up in price - cigarettes are on the rise too.

This is nothing to do with the heatwave, however - it's all to do with health.

A group of researchers from the University of Bath reckon that the price of £10 ($13) for 20 smokes is 'too affordable' to urge people to quit.

Their proposed solution is to hike the tax even higher on straights and roll-ups and continue to do so year on year until cigs cost £20 ($26) per pack by 2020.

Currently in the UK, a packet of cigarettes cost £10 on average - but this is still enviable for hardened smokers in Australia, where a packet of cigarettes will set you back nearly AUD $40 (£22 / $29).

Sure, it's all going to benefit our health in the end - but even this knowledge might not make it easier.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Food, UK News, News, Beer